The Cleveland Cavalierstook a gamble on Andrew Bynum heading into the 2013-2014 NBA season, despite the fact that he hasn’t played since the 2011-2012 season. Thus far, though, it’s a risk that hasn’t paid off for the Cavs as Bynum is still recovering from a knee injury and hasn’t participated in training camp or the preseason.

However, Bynum is getting closer to making his debut for the Cavs and, though it may have felt like the time would ever come, return to NBA action.

According to a report from Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Bynum is now back down to his “playing weight” for the first time since being sidelined leading into last year. Though chronicling Bynum’s weight may seem a bit silly at this point and not near as interesting as following his hairstyle was last season, him being down to playing weight is actually a big deal. There could still be a few minor steps, but the next major step after getting to the right weight is for him to return to basketball activities and start practicing with the Cavs.

Cleveland is going to be a good team this season that is fun to watch, with or without Bynum on the floor. However, with Bynum healthy, the Cavs are going to be in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs this year. If he’s even 75 percent of the player that he was in his final years with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’ll give the Cavs a huge boost.

Bynum is certainly still a risk to get injured even if he does return to practice given his history of lower body injuries. As of right now, though, it seems as if his season is on the right trajectory and like he could wind up being an asset in Cleveland. It’s still too early to say definitively, but the Cavaliers’ gamble could pay dividends before long.